"Dec. 6th, 1787. Paid for Articles of Agreement between Mr. Joyce and myself, in respect to the school for the benefit of the Caribbs, £1. 11s."

"Jan. 11th, 1788. Paid for two hundred dresses for the Caribb children in the island of St. Vincent, with the package, freight, &c., £40. 188. Advanced towards finishing the school-house, £100."

"Dec. 11th. I visited our new school-house, and found it much larger than I expected. As Mrs. Baxter intends to educate some of the Caribb girls, we shall now have three teachers among them. The conduct of Mrs. Baxter, in this instance, is not to be overlooked. Though born of a considerable

family in Antigua, and brought up in all the softness and luxury of the country, she readily consented, some years ago, that her husband should sacrifice a place of four hundred a year, currency, which he held under Government, that he might devote his whole time and strength to the work of God; and now was perfectly willing to go with him among savages, and spend her time in forming their totally uncultivated minds." (Dr. Coke's Journal, p. 81. Edit. 1794.)

There was no Missionary-ship in those days; but a small vessel was hired for bringing the Preachers to the District, or Conference, (as it was then called,) at Antigua, and returning them to their respective stations. In order to save expense, this Conference was held only once in two years; "but which is so in dispensably necessary," says the Doctor, "that I am persuaded the very existence of the work, in any degree of purity, depends upon it, under the grace and providence of God. My own expenses in the ten Caribbee islands which I visited,particularly in Barbadoes, Dominica, Nevis, St. Eustatius, Saba, Tortola, and Santa-Cruz, with the expenses of the brethren who were with me, was £42. 6s. N. B. My visiting every island myself, to see how every thing has been conducted, is highly expedient; and in every instance, except that of Antigua, the

Lord was pleased to use me as the first instrument of opening the work in the islands." (Dr. Coke's Statement, p. 33.)

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The confidence of the public in a General Committee, consisting of an equal number of Ministers and laymen, now that the pecuniary resources of the Missions are a hundred-fold larger, does not require statements which even at that time were amusing; namely, Oct. 24th and 25th, 1788, Apples for our voyage, 6s. 6d. Bought of the Captain of our ship two pairs of shoes, for Mr. Gamble, 7s. A wig for Mr. Pearse," &c. In the Doctor's "Statement" there are many expla natory notes, by way of comment on the text, and in justification of expenses incurred for horses, books, and umbrellas.

"1. The Missionaries must have horses, in order to visit the estates in the country, as divine Providence opens the way to them. They purchase Mexican ponies, which the Spaniards import into our islands, and are cheaper than any other kind of horses which can be purchased there. 2. As to books, there are religious books,-Alleine's 'Alarm,' Baxter's 'Call,' Prayer-Books, &c.; some of which are sold to the white people; but most to the free coloured people, and to domestic slaves, many of whom can read, and have frequently a little money to spare for the purchase of useful books. The Missionaries also have much time for reading, especially when they are on the plantations,the middle of the day being too hot for walking, and the slaves being at that time employed in the fields. But hardly any religious books can be bought in the islands, except Bibles and Common-Prayer Books. I, therefore, not only supply the Missionaries when they set off on their Mission, but send them such books as they are desirous of reading, that their whole time may be usefully employed. 3. Umbrellas may be esteemed luxurious in this country; but are highly necessary for Europeans under the torrid zone. We should not study the health of the Missionaries, if we did not allow

each of them an umbrella." I think Jonas Hanway himself, who carried the first umbrella, would have found no fault with this item of expendi

ture.

In 1792 the Society of FreeMasons were very desirous to obtain our chapel at Kingston, in Jamaica, for a lodge. They prevailed on two of the creditors to demand payment of their loans, in order to oblige us to sell the chapel. The Doctor adds, "The money, however, was advanced out of my own private property;" and forms part of the balance due to him, which he gave up to the cause.

The Doctor, before closing his "Statement," says, "I propose to print an account only once in two years, as it is probable I shall be in America or Africa* every other year, if divine Providence is pleased to continue my life. It would be almost impossible for me, on the present plan, to furnish every subscriber with an annual statement. However, if it be the desire of many subscribers to have an annual account, I will employ a secretary for the purpose."

"We have now near eight thousand of the blacks, who have been

*The Minutes of Conference, for 1792, give two hundred and twenty-three members in Sierra-Leone. This will be best explained by referring to Myles's Chronological History," p. 323; where he observes, that, in 1792, the free Blacks, who had taken up their residence in Nova-Scotia, were conveyed to Sierra-Leone; among whom were many serious characters, who, on their arrival, laid the foundation of the Methodist society in this colony."

brought, more or less, out of heathenish darkness, to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus;' and, their own masters being the judges, to the performance of all the relative duties of life. Nor is it a small proof of the reality of the work, and the sincerity of its professors, that the Negroes who are members of our society have all given up polygamy." (Statement, p. 93.)

I shall close this paper by transcribing from a мs., in the Doctor's own writing, a hymn of Madam Guion's, expressive of his own experience, and repeated to a near relative of mine, more than forty years ago, while crossing the Irish Channel.

"O Thou, by long experience tried,
Near whom no grief can long abide,
My God! how full of sweet content
I pass my years of banishment!
"All scenes alike engaging prove

To souls impress'd with sacred love;
Where'er they dwell, they dwell in Thee,
In heaven, on earth, or on the sea.

"To me remains nor place, nor time;
My country is in every clime :
I can be calm, and free from care,
On any shore, since God is there.

"Could I be cast where Thou art not,
That were, indeed, a dreadful lot!
But regions none remote I call,
Secure of finding God in all.

"I hold by nothing here below;
Appoint my journey, and I go:
Though pierced by scorn, oppress'd by pride,
I feel Thee near,-feel nought beside."

THOMAS MARRIOTT,

City-Road, Feb. 4th, 1844.

awakened in the minds of a certain class among our people, a great amount of good would probably result.

It is a painful fact, that numerous towns and villages in this kingdom are in a state of deplorable spiritual destitution, and that many MARCH, 1844.

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difficulties lie in the way of introducing the Gospel and its ordinances among them. The chief obstacle, and that which is the parent of others, is, the natural aversion of an unrenewed heart to the truth. It is this which closes the door, inhibits the use of a building for the purpose of religious worship, and interdicts, under various penalties, the attendance of those who, from curiosity or other motives, might feel disposed to listen to the Gospel as proclaimed by the lips of a Preacher in the open air, and upon ground, ecclesiastically considered, unconsecrated. Oft does the Christian Preacher lament this opposition; and inquire, "Can any thing be done which may remove it, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified,' that its triumphs may be more extensive and glorious?"

It is pleasing to peruse the pages of Methodistical history, and learn how, by the blessing of God, the greatest opposition has been made to give way; and how "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," though wielded by feeble hands, has triumphed in every place. But have we a right to look for similar success in the present day, unless all our agencies are exerted; or, at least, until a strenuous endeavour is made to do so? We have means which our forefathers had not; and it is a rule upon which the divine Being has chosen to act, in the distribution of his favours, to dispense them in proportion as the means of acquiring them, with which he has furnished his church, are employed. "To him that hath shall be given." This will apply not only to individuals, but also to collective bodies. Make, then, the application to the Wesleyan church, and inquire, "Are we, as a body, improving all our talents? Do we rightly use those with which we are intrusted? Is every member of our Connexion in his place, and to the utmost attending to his proper work?" The want of active, zealous, and faithful persons is greatly felt in certain places, from which they are distant, where they might

be honoured instruments of remov ing difficulties which at present impede the progress of evangelical religion; and where, to a great extent, they might perform that service which would be the "crown of their rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus."

It is obvious that such members, to whom reference is made, are not parties who are obliged by business or professional engagements to confine themselves to any particular neighbourhood. They are persons of pecuniary independence, in the ordinary acceptation of that term, who probably have never been perplexed with the anxieties of business; or, if they have been ac quainted with its cares, Providence has smiled upon them, and they have prospered; so that, in retiring from its turmoil, they are enabled to furnish additional evidence that "godliness has the promise of the life that now is." There are many excellent persons thus situated, who possess talents, if cultivated, likely to be of great use. But where are they? and how are they employed? They have probably selected as the place of their residence one in which they can "lie down in green pastures" of Christian ordinances, and where their moral and religious influence is comparatively lost. The number of agents employed there is so great, as, in their judgment, to supersede the necessity of any special effort from themselves, who fall in danger of hiding their talent in a napkin. Would such individuals, as the true and devoted followers of the Saviour, deny themselves, other less favoured spots of the green earth might be selected as the place of abode, where their time, influence, energies, and means, would unitedly be employed in the service of Christ; and their works would proclaim, "We live not unto ourselves, but unto the Lord."

The good which might thus be effected is no trifling consideration. Let one village be selected as a fair sample. There is every thing in the situation, the scenery, the air, and the neighbourhood, to promise many comforts as a place of resid

ence; perhaps, so far as nature is considered, an earthly paradise. The moral aspect, however, which presents itself, differs widely from that which nature unfolds. There is great barrenness of what is good, and an immense profusion of that which is evil; while the prevalence and deformity of vice furnish but a sad contrast to the luxuriance and beauty of the surrounding country. Here, then, is a part of the vineyard of our Lord which needs spiritual culture.

Granted that the Gospel is the great means of accomplishing this important work, there are frequently difficulties in the way of its introduction; and, when introduced, of its establishment and progress. Here Christians, in circumstances before adverted to, might render import ant aid, and be successful assistants to the Christian Pastor in carrying out the designs of redeeming mercy. Being resident, none could prohibit the use of any building in their occupation for purposes of religious worship, for the benefit of the benighted villagers. A door would thus be opened for the ministry of reconciliation; and persons of respectability sanctioning, by their presence, and the appropriation of their premises, the institutions of Christ, would tend to remove that reproach which the rustics have been led to attach to such a ministry. This barrier having given way, the inhabitants would attend and hear for themselves the truths to which they give ear would come "not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.' Convinced "of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment," "What must we do to be saved?" becomes the sincere and earnest inquiry of many. Here, then, are persons fitted for churchmembership, the one condition of which is “a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins." A Christian society is formed, the charge of which furnishes useful occupation to those individuals who, in the true spirit of Christian sacrifice, placed themselves on that spot. The work of conver

sion proceeds, and every new convert glorifies God for those who have been instruments of good unto him.

A Christian church being raised, its various institutions, with the whole course of means employed in Methodism, for extending the work of God, will speedily be established; such as Sabbath-schools, Benevolent, Tract, and Missionary Societies. Pious individuals, having leisure, would be suitable persons to engage in these labours of love. They would soon discover who among the converted villagers had talents for usefulness, for what department of evangelical labour each was qualified, and could affectionately advise and direct as occasion might require. Did any possess talents for usefulness of a more public character, they would mention such individuals to their Ministers, when visiting that neighbourhood, who would render to these due attention; and, if satisfied, would employ them in that sphere of activity for which they may be fitted. Thus a variety of talent might be brought into useful operation, which otherwise had been lost to the church and to the world.

The subject of this paper is intended to be an appeal to Wesleyans of independence. Would that those who read it might remember the voice of God to the Prophet: "What doest thou here, Elijah? and ask themselves, if they are where the Lord would have them to be, and engaged in that which he would have them to do. If the inquiry be made, "Why should we act as is here suggested?" the answer is, that gratitude to God demands it. David, when contemplating the divine beneficence, breaks forth in thankful inquiry, "What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me?" Ought not you to imitate this example? You are not toiling, like many around you, from early morn to the midnight hour, for bread. Your success in business has been such as to place you not only above want, but in circumstances of comfort and comparative affluence then remember the Lord thy God, for it is

he that gave thee power to get wealth." Do you owe nothing to the bountiful Donor of these blessings? Render unto him the employment of that time, and of those energies, which he has enabled you to withdraw from worldly engagements. Seek out some spot of the vast vineyard which needs moral cultivation, and where you may be instrumental in promoting the glory of God, in connexion with the best and eternal interests of your fellowmen. There are few, if any, of your Ministers who cannot, and would not, cheerfully direct you in this matter; for such spots, alas! too thickly stud our fatherland.

Benevolence-which, if you are Christians, you possess should incline to the adoption of such and similar plans for the extension of happiness to all men, throughout all time, and to all eternity. Open Open your eyes to the wretchedness in which is involved so large a portion of our race, the darkness in which numbers of our otherwise lovely villages are enveloped; then, in the light which revelation sheds, look onward to the future state of those who die in sin. Can you take this glance without inquiring, "What can be done?" nay, "What can I do to arrest this wretchedness, to disperse this darkness, or prevent this woe?" Not if you have "put on, as the elect of God, bowels of mercies;" and if you sincerely love God, and his truth; for then you will love your brother also. For "whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need,"-no matter whether this "need" relate to the body or the soul, if by "this world's good" the want can be supplied, (but most important of all is it that the necessities of the soul should have attention,) whoso, therefore, has the means of supplying these," and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in

him?"

It is unquestionably the duty of every one to do what good he can ; and "to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." The truth of this is unquestion

able. How, then, can you acquit yourselves before God, if, while so many opportunities of doing good are presented, you refuse to embrace them? Many of them are means which are peculiarly your own, since you are placed by the providence of God in circumstances so favourable to their adoption. Talents are thus committed to you with which others are not intrusted; and for the improvement or neglect of them you alone will be answerable.

It may be objected, by some, that although they have the talent of property, they have no other. Be it so then "honour the Lord with thy substance." There are many parts of the rural districts of this country where we have no stated religious services, for want of suitable places in which to conduct them. By providing such, you instrumentally confer a lasting benefit. upon your new neighbours; and, at the same time, by reason of the influence and respect which property ensures, you may induce othersand, among these, the wealthier people of the neighbourhood-to attend the house of prayer. But is it true? have you no other talent than money? Make the scrutiny. Is it not possible that, in the multiplicity of former engagements, some talent or talents were suffered to lie dormant? Engagements of this nature being removed, you may now discover capabilities which you did not imagine you possessed; and it is high time to employ them for the Lord. But may not talents for usefulness be acquired? You are freed from the anxieties of business: care now for the things of God and of his church; diligently endeavour to promote his glory according to your present opportunities, and to the improvement of what you have.

One talent every Christian possesses,-that of example. "Only let your conversation be as becometh the Gospel of Christ;" and though you may not have ability, or even a call, to the labours of the pulpit, you may preach "Christ, and him crucified," in your daily walk, and furnish practical illustration of the momentous truths which your neigh